We began this blog in 2009 as a forum to discuss the ongoing Climate negotiations sponsored by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). While we serve as Official Observers of the Association of American Geographers, opinions expressed on this blog belong solely to the authors and are not intended to represent the official position of the Association of American Geographers or of its membership.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Fossil of the Day

The experience of the COP16 would not be complete without the "Fossil of the Day" award, perhaps the only dis-honor that draws a crowd and paparazzi. Brought to you by the Climate Action Network, this award has been given out on a near daily basis at the COP's since the 1999 Bonn, Germany climate talks, and is given to the countries that have given their all to block the progress of negotiations. With much adieu, the European Union received third place for not engaging with tabled solutions dealing with the AAU surplus (assigned amount unit) equivalent to 1 metric tonne of CO2. For 'living in a fantasyland', Canada took the podium for second place for inventing coal regulation which does not actually exist. A Canada "representative" happily accepted the honor for their fifth fossil of the year. To chalk up the tally for industrialized nations to three, our very own United States took the gold medal this evening for opposing reference to aggregate pollution reduction targets for developed nations of 25-40% from 1990 levels by 2020 in the LBI drafting group. Boos and laughter aside, this award is a fantastic way to hold those parties that are impeding compromise and progress, publicly accountable.